Mastitis

So I came down with mastitis this morning. This is the first time I've had it with E. Not fun. Mr. busy is too distracted to nurse well when there is a lot going on. Apparantly afraid he'll miss something. Charlie was here yesterday and we were on the go all day.

Anyway, because of said mastitis I dug out the breastpump after E nursed. I never pump and so Noah was curious about what it was. It was so funny. I told him it was a pump to get my milk out. He said in the most hilarious way "Don't put it on me!". It was so funny!

Then he said "That probably is COOL!" It was so cute! I told him "Yes Noah actually it is cool. God made our bodies to make the perfect milk for our babies to grow strong and healthy. And all mommy's have it for free. It IS really cool!" I'm glad he gets that at three.

What is not cool, is having mastitis on Halloween and staying in bed with a fever, chills and aches while Paul took the kiddos trick or treating in Brookside sans mama :(

Face painting

It all started out innocently enough with the kids painting

Not sure whose idea this was to attack Paul
I'm glad Paul is a fun and laid back kind of dad
But, he did manage to get Noah a little too :)

Hudson & Addison got cleaned up by their dad before I got a chance to snap their pics.

Oink

Noah is recovering from possible H1N1. We aren't entirely sure. He only ran high fevers for 2 days. And a low grade one for half another day. Usually with the H1N1 it lasts longer and we are surprised if it was H1N1 Elliot would have escaped it. But, so far he's only had a runny nose (which actually started before Noah got sick). Noah had a croupy cough for 2 days, but now it's a productive cough and he's congested. And just not 100%. He's sleeping on the couch right now. Thank God!

Our pediatrician only has limited quantities of the nasal mist vaccine now for H1N1. They are only giving it to pregnant moms, healthcare workers so far. But, soon hopefully they'll get more in. And some for babies too (babies can't have the nasal mist; it's a live virus). Since we aren't sure Noah had it, we definately plan on vax'ing him just in case. And of course Elliot, who I would be most concerned with if he caught it being so small. Us too, if we can get it.

This pig fever stuff is for the birds. Er, I mean pigs.

ETA -
Here is a great article about the H1N1 vaccine. A lot of moms seem to be scared of getting a "brand new vaccine", but it really is the same as the seasonal flu shot. Good read.

http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/

We were getting close to the bakery

We were at the grocery store today (getting pretty close to the bakery where they usually have free cookie samples) and Noah suddenly told me. "Mommy, I like your head, eyes and teeth!"

Elliot Henry is 9 months old!

I can't believe it, either. He's growing up entirely too fast! 9 months is a pretty fun age. Some of my favorite things about this age:

• He is so active and into e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g! I love hearing the thump thump of him crawling so fast across the floor. Even though it's a tiring stage, it's so fun to see him fascinated with such simple things and watch him explore.


• He is so happy to just play independently much of the time. Especially in the mornings when Noah is still in bed, and he has free reign over all the toys. He tears up the room and it is a total disaster before Noah even wakes up.


• He is such a happy baby. All you have to do is look at him and he just smiles SO big and sometimes even laughs. Just out of joy to see us. I love him so much!


• He also loves music. I promise to videotape him "dancing" this week and post it. He sits down and if any music starts he does this little rock thing. HYSTERICAL! If he's fussy all I have to do is start singing and he will stop.


• He loves his big brother. Even though Noah pesters him about 50% of the time and loves on him the other 50%, Elliot just loves his big bro.


• He is laid back. He is happy to go on a stroller ride. Be worn. Crawl around and play. Ride in his carseat. Be held by anyone.


• He's a great eater. He eats anything I give him. Even spinach. And broccoli. Still working on table foods though and mostly eating purreed babyfood.


• He is the cutest baby in the whole world. Seriously.

I have come to the conclusion the reason he isn't sleeping through the night and naps inconsistently, is because it is just too much pressure to be the world's most perfect baby. That's a lot to take on for a 9 month old.

Weight: 21lbs 11 oz (50-75%)

Height: 28 1/4" (25-50%)

Head: 46 1/2 cm (75-90%)

Loving my new double stroller

I pushed Noah to use his stroller as long as I could. Finally at a year and a half I decided to embrace the fact he prefers to be active and we let him walk. Even at that young age, he'd actually walk with us on our walks to Brookside crossing major intersections holding our hands. Granted he had to stop and point to the birds and leaves and it wasn't that good of exercise for us, but he loved exploring. By the time he was two, he was riding a tricycle. Before he was three he was riding a bike. So the thought of getting a double stroller, wasn't something I planned on doing.

Recently though, Noah thinks it's kind of fun to ride sometimes. He would ride in the footrest of our jogging stroller when I was pushing Ed. I decided to embrace this newfound willingness to ride and use it to my advantage. Paul got me a double jogger and I love it! It is nice to just go fast sometimes and not have to make a big production at looking both ways for cars at each intersection. Sometimes I just want the exercise for myself.

Both boys fell asleep today when we were out walking Wally. If only it hadn't been at 6pm and I could have let them sleep and enjoyed some quiet time...... :)

No more baby baths

This is a FUN milestone! Elliot is now big/old/strong enough to ditch the baby bath and take baths with Noah. Elliot loves it so much more. Now he can play and splash and move around. It's tiring though because he wants to pull himself up and stand, so we are constantly making him sit back down.

I wasn't sure how Noah would feel about having a much shallower bath, since we let him have a lot of water normally, but he likes playing with E too, and he's been really good about sharing his bath toys. We've gradually been able to push Elliot's bedtime later so we can do our bath/bedtime routines with both boys together. It's so much nicer!

Jello. A lesson in patience.

Noah pulled out a box of Jello from the pantry this morning, so I told him he could help me cook it.

Waiting for Jello to set is very hard for a 3 year old boy. Very hard.

Pumpkin Train

Yesterday we took the much anticipated Pumpkin Train Ride in Belton. It felt more like November than October, but we still had fun. It isn't a complete experience, of course, if we don't stop at Tara's Cafe afterwards for lunch. Belton had it's pumpkin fest going on up and down Main Street. Turns out it was just a bunch of vendors in booths. They did have a bouncehouse that the boys played on until Noah got knocked down and had a bloody lip. It was then time to go.

We stopped by Dunn's Cider Mill. Instead of making an event of it though, Sarah just ran in for some cider and donuts to take home with us. Noah was passed out by the time we got home. Elliot enjoyed playing with Ruby, the cat, then passed out for a little nap himself. Aunt Sam & Keith came in town and we enjoyed some Steak Soup, Cheddar Batter Bread and Pumpkin Pie at the parent/grandparent's house courtesy of Rick. Nice Fall day. Too bad Paul wasn't there. Pretty sure he's ok with that though, since he was spending the day hiking in the Grand Canyon with his brother, Todd. :)

Balance

After having our second baby, I've strived a lot more to have balance in my life. It's just a necessity now. Noah never could stay with anyone (not even family) without crying inconsolably, until he was nearly a year old. He was two before I could leave him with friends he was familiar with. And he was 2 1/2 before he ever had a babysitter (that I made sure he built a rapport with, in our home).


This summer I had a babysitter every Tuesday and Thursday morning stay with the kids while I worked out for an hour in the basement. She'd stick around long enough for me to shower too. I also used her a lot with all of Elliot's eye doctor appointments. I can't tell you the difference exercising, alone, during a weekday, in the morning makes. Well I quit doing it in August, when Erin went away to college.

I have definately found that equates to more stress, more fatigue and less patience. And I have learned it is actually not selfish at all to take that break. In fact, it makes me a much better mom.

I joined the YMCA this week. It was a big step for me to leave the kids in child watch. I would have never done that when Noah was a baby. Noah did well since Hudson and Addison were there. Elliot cried after playing 10-15 minutes, then the workers got him to sleep. This happend the 1st two times I went. Yesterday I went and Hudson and Addison were not there. Noah was excited to go play, but wanted me to stay and play with him. I explained I'd be in "that" room exercising for just one hour and would be back. I was so relieved he did well! I was nervous, but know I really need that time not just for my physical health, but my mental health.

Paul is out of town. I was up at 5:30am (after waking up at midnight & 3am for nursing sessions) and didn't get both boys to bed until 8:15pm. This is my only break. I came back energized and ready to take on the day. I love the YMCA!


Elliot did cry again after awhile, but Letisha learned he falls asleep when she hums baa baa black sheep. This is how I found him. I stayed and played with Noah until Elliot woke up.

Busy little Ed

I thought I'd update on little E. I posted a while back he learned to hand-knee crawl, but wasn't doing it full time. He went to doing it full time a week later (9/26). It only took that long to learn it was faster than army crawling. Also, I had posted the first time he pulled up to stand, which is his favorite thing to do now. It's his number one hobby, closely followed by crawling over and taking Noah's toys, which Noah does not want to share.

I have a similar picture of Noah at this age, except Noah had pulled out the bottom rack. I wonder how until this little helper does the same.

Look at that sweet little pea <3
Noah's train table is a favorite. I was cracking up. He kept doing this stretch this day.
He is such a happy baby!

Stitches out!

I took Noah to CMH today to have his stitches removed. I felt so bad for the poor guy. He was happy to get a new "bracelet". He still had his one on from our visit 10 days prior. He agreed to let the nurse cut off the old one since he got a new one. Then, the not so fun part. He was crying and screaming "NOOOO!" There were 7 to remove and I know it had to hurt him. :( Poor guy. But, his finger is healing well and no more splint and nightly dressing changes! And we just finished his round of antibiotics. Now there is just a bandaid we change daily and put neosporin on it.

He has been so cautious and holding it up all day though. With the splint he did everything, like nothing ever happened. He literally was climbing the climbing wall, playing soccer, going headfirst down slides, etc. right away. Now he wants help getting into his carseat and basic stuff. He even kept it up out of the water in the bath still. He says it doesn't hurt though.

We walked to the Classic Cookie for a treat since he was so brave. He chose snickerdoodle. On the way home, he asked me if he could go to the ice cream shop to pick out his own ice cream. I told him no. He already had a cookie. "But, why mom?" Then after I told him my reasoning, he told me I made him sad. He was trying to milk it, but I didn't give in. No ice cream!

Playing in the hay

I took the boys to Louisburg Cider Mill the other day. They hands down have the best cider in the KC metro area. Paul had the wrath of Mandy once when he brought home Stephenson's. I like my apple cider with a lot of sediment and hard tasting (not sure if that's the right word I'm looking for). For the record, Dunn's Cider Mill in Belton makes the best cider donuts. Louisburg's were a little more cakey. So Louisburg it is for Cider, which can be bought in the grocery store, and Dunn's for donuts, which you have to drive out to Belton for.

I was bummed that they don't offer hayrides during the week. But, it was nice to have it mostly to ourselves. It gets really busy on weekends. Anyway, all the kids cared about was the Hay Castle. And Elliot had just as much fun as Noah. And he played a really long time before attempting to eat any which was great!

Fall Fun

Our absolute favorite time of the year is fall, and the last few years we’ve taken advantage of it all too infrequently. So Saturday morning we decided to go to a pumpkin patch in Weston, an hour’s drive north of us. It was a beauty of a day – crisp and cool, leaves changing – definitely fall. We started with breakfast at The Coffee Girls, hopped in the car and headed for fun.

The temperatures were barely out of the 40’s when we arrived, but we bundled everyone up (after Mandy, who was wearing her down vest the entire car ride, asked if I thought they really needed jackets) and took off exploring.

The namesake barn:

A view of the farm from the top of the hill

"...whose fleece was dingy grey..."

Noah really got a kick out of the roosters crowing.

Excited to be at the farm!















Noah wasn't so sure about the horses. Even the ones his size. He was quick to decline a pony ride.

Elliot getting a kick out of watching the goats.

There were all kinds of pumpkins and gourds to choose from, including different-colored ones, gnarly ones, and just plain weird-looking ones.















Waiting for the hayride to the pumpkin patch.
















A rare family portrait. You can't tell it from this picture, but this was Noah's favorite part of the trip (he told us later that night). The tractor-drawn hayride took us to a several-acre patch of pumpkins. You could pick one and take it back for them to weigh it, and see how much it would cost. I think it was also free labor on their part if you carried one back.

Mandy and her boys in the pumpkin patch.















Trying to get a decent picture on the ride back. This is typical of our attempts - they're looking everywhere but the camera. On the off chance one of them does look at the camera, they're either making a goofy face or the other one is looking away.

Elliot looking serious. He was really just chillin' on the hayride back from the pumpkin patch. He seemed to enjoy it too.

Sweet pictures of Noah and Mandy goofing around on the ride back.
















Elliot fell asleep soon after we got back, so I walked him around a little bit while Mandy and Noah enjoyed some one-on-one time...

...and negotiated over turns at the bag of kettle corn.















One of my favorite things to see is my wife and my son together.















Noah thought the scarecrows were funny, especially these guys.













Noah, still in charge of the bag of kettle corn, was doling it out one kernel at a time.

Both of them taking a bite.















Noah getting mad when Mandy reaches for a piece of kettle corn. Clearly it wasn't her turn yet.

Back to sharing.

Noah running through the prairie grass maze. This was another of his favorite parts.














Grandma and Grandpa joined us at the farm later in the day, and we all had a bite to eat.














Elliot was tired of being held, so we let him play on the walkway.














Noah is looking so old, even at three.

Noah in the maze.

Elliot was a dirty mess, but he loved it.

We all had a great day at the farm, and the boys saw lots of animals. Noah picked out four pumpkins for us to take home - three small ones and one great big one for cutting/decorating later. We took a short drive through Weston to see the apple festival, but decided against unloading the boys again, who were both tired, and decided to head on back home.